Last weekend I had my son on the buddy box with his trainer. His turns were level (no loss of altitude) and he was putting the plane right where it needed to be. So we started shooting approaches and coming down the runway at about 20 feet. On one such approach, I told him to get lower and I would take over before he got too low. As he turned from the downwind onto final, he was lined up on the abandoned strip of road we use for a runway perfectly. He came down in altitude, but I never took control like I said I would. Gave him a few verbal instructions to help him flair out and he touched down making the best landing I have ever seen. (Of course!) Then rolled off the runway into the weeds. He was concentrating so hard on the landing, he forgot to steer once on the ground!

After we got the plane back to the pits and had high fives, I'm not sure who was more proud, but I'll lay odds it was me. He made two more landings that day and one take-off (also good). I got back into this hobby to do something fun with my son and that moment was worth every penny of our investment.

Congratulations to both of you!!!!!

I have felt the same about a year ago, things than happen just once in life!![sm=thumbs_up.gif][sm=thumbs_up.gif]

Best wishes to both,

Congrats, I loved watching my 2 year old drive an RC truck for the first time the other day. It was only forward until it hit something but it was sooo cute![sm=wink_smile.gif]

Sushi, how old is your son? Mine is 7 and I'm wondering if he's ready? He can take off, fly around and land consistently on the G2 sim without crashing.

Cruz, my son is 13. I think your boy is probably old enough to fly with a buddy box. At 13 I can tell him to get his plane ready and he does it. (Wish he'd clean his room as easily but that's a story for a different time) The only thing I do for him is start the engine.

Don't worry about losing that feeling of joy after every landing your son makes. You will feel it every time. Especially since every good landing means you won't have a replacement to pay for or crash damage you won't be repairing.

Contratulations. I hope that my son in law or one of my daughters, or my nephew who I've taken up with the buddy box, will solo with me some day in the future!

True but it does mean he is on his way to more expensive planes.

Yup, I had a similar experience a few weeks ago. I was bringing in a deadstick in a stiff crosswind and from behind me I heard, “C’mon Dad, nice and easy, you can do it� It was my son, who solo’d last spring, whereas I solo’d just a few weeks ago. He is an amazing pilot (other folks words, not mine) and I’m still freshly solo’d beginner, but it was really cool to hear him “helping� me bring that bird in; and yes, it was landed successfully.

Jack

Sushi,
Man that is AWESOME! Thanks for sharing your story! Made me jealous that I don't have any boys! I wish my Dad had taught me way back when, I would be a lot farther in this hobby than Iam now. Oh well, even at 40 it was still fun to learn with my Father.
Your son will remember that for the rest of his life!! Great memories with Dad!

cruzomatic,

I'm in the same boat you are. My son is 8, and he's pretty good on the sim. He's expressed a keen interest lately in wanting to fly. I know at that age, their attention level is pretty short, unless its video games.So I wonder if it's to early to get him on the buddy box for a few minutes at a time.Might increase his interest and attention. But, I don't want him to drop the box if he gets bored after a few minutes of flight. Anyone else in thisdelima?

Cal

The only feeling better then flying with your son is flying with your daughter and son. Congrats.

My daughter is 9 and is flying on her own. She soloed about a month ago. I wouldn't trade the experience of just watching her fly for anything in the world. That's what life is all about. Spending time with your family.

chopper

see thats what this hobby is all about!

Congratulations. It must be a great feeling. I have 3 daughters and only daughter #2 was even mildly interested in such important thingsasmodel planes and the like, and even then her pony and sports were of far greater interest. For quite a few years if it didn't have 4legsand neigh it was of no interest or importance at all to the girls.

All grown up now , so dad can do what he wants.

Excellent, congtrats!!

The picture is of my daughter's 1st solo flight with her instructor watching. Notice the grine on his face.

chopper

Just pure concentration!!![sm=thumbs_up.gif]